Water Heater Drain Valve replacement part question.

[Cal166]

Hi All,

The water heater was dripping a bit from the drain valve and called Rheem, was told to replace it to a standard brass valve. During the process of replacing it, I discovered it was the plastic part attached to it that was damaged and I would like to just replace it instead of the whole thing.

Does anyone know what this part is called or where I can find one? Rheem told me I cannot purchase it separately...

 

[highland145]

Wonder if you could just replace the o rings.

 

[Cal166]

If you look closely by the ring, the plastic part above the ring is eroded. As a fix/workaround, I used teflon tape to patched it up but I don't know how long it will hold up.

 

[BoomerD]

Dude...a replacement brass drain valve is about $7 at Home Depot...replace it.

 

[Cal166]

I tried. I couldn't get the main drain valve off...seem like it's really stuck. Thought it would be simpler to replace this adapter.

 

[skimple]

I tried. I couldn't get the main drain valve off...seem like it's really stuck. Thought it would be simpler to replace this adapter.

Check the threading to make sure your are tuning it the right way. It shouldn't be reverse threaded, but it may be.

Get some narrow vise grips on the threaded section behind the handle and clamp the shit out of it. Just be careful not to scratch up the paint on the water heater.

Its plastic. It will come out. At worst, you just saw off the handle and work on the threaded part afterwards.

 

[Cal166]

The main drain valve is actually brass/metal and this plastic adapter is attached to it. I tried really clamping the shit out of the drain valve with no success.

 

[BoomerD]

The main drain valve is actually brass/metal and this plastic adapter is attached to it. I tried really clamping the shit out of the drain valve with no success.

Clamping? Did you use a suitable sized pipe wrench? IMO, you'll need at least a 12" pipe wrench...although you MIGHT be able to do it with a smaller one...but a pipe wrench is almost certainly the tool for the job.

 

[highland145]

Threaded outlet? Put a fitting on the brass outlet, screw on a valve.

 

[BoomerD]

Threaded outlet? Put a fitting on the brass outlet, screw on a valve.

That's not a bad alternative. :thumbsup: